Tyson focuses more on condition than Danish opponent
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Mike Tyson said Friday he's more concerned with his own condition than he is with watching video tapes of Brian Nielsen.
Tyson arrived in Denmark on Monday for the Oct. 13 fight against Nielsen, the first fight in nearly a year for the ex-heavyweight champ.
"I don't underestimate anybody. I don't underestimate him," Tyson said after his daily training session at a local gym where two dozen fans patiently waited for an autograph or a snapshot.
Tyson said he hadn't seen many video tapes of Nieslen and was concentrating on being physically ready for the fight.
"I just stay in good shape and good condition and I use that to fight well," he said.
The bout against Nielsen (62-1, 43 knockouts) is regarded as a major step toward another shot at the heavyweight title chance for Tyson (49-3).
Tyson, idle since last Oct. 20 when he stopped Andrew Golota in two rounds at Auburn Hills, Mich., said the time away from the ring would not be a handicap.
"I've been boxing and training a long time in the gym," he said. "I'm in a good shape and boxing good and have good sparring partners."
On the undercard of the Tyson-Nielsen bout, American fighter Will McIntyre will challenge Britain's Joe Calzaghe for the WBO super-middleweight title. McIntyre, with 28 wins in 30 fights, has never been stopped while Calzaghe is unbeaten with a 31-0 record.
"I've met Joe before and he's good man,' Tyson said. "I hope he does good in his fight."
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October 5, 2001